Equalizing-spring for vehicles.



Nb. 644,908. Patented Mar. '6, I900. A w. 5.1mm; &' a. o. coumss;

EQUALIZING SPRING FOB VEHICLES.

(Application filed. Nov. 11, 18.99.)

(No Model.)

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ILLARD E. HAHN, OF \VARREN, AND GEORGE OTIS COOMBS, OF ROCK- LAND, MAINE.

eauAuzmc-s nmc FOR VEHICLES.

$IECIIFICATION forming part of Lettersi atent No. 64.45908, dated March 6, 1900.

Application filed November 11, 1899. Serial No. 736,629. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLARD E. HAHN, residing at Warren, and GEORGE OTIS COOMBS, residing at Rockland, in the county of Knox, State of Maine, citizens of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Equalizing-Springs for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to equalizing-springs for vehicles of that class designed to take the place of the ordinary whiffietree and to equalize and relieve the strain upon the shoulders of the horse.

It consists of a special structure designed for simplicity and cheapness of manufacture and for compactness and neatness, and especially to serve at the same time as a brace between the cross-bar and the thill to which the casing is fixed. It is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows the invention in plan view and in place, and Fig. 2 shows a cross-section.

In the drawings, A represents the thill, and B the cross-bar which connects the thills and to which ordinarily the whiflietree is attached. The spring-case, which forms a brace between these two parts, consists of two cap-pieces (marked a and b, respectively) which are connected by a piece of metal tubing 0. The cap-pieces are small castings threaded to receive the threaded ends of the piece of tubing 0. The cap-piece a is rounded to correspond in contour with the tubing, but on one side is made fiat to fit against the thill A. Its flat face is prolonged by a lug 1, which has a hole to receive the bolt 2, by means of which itis attached to the thill. It is provided with a hole in line with the longitudinal axis of the tube, which hole is fitted to receive the stem 3 of a hook 4, projecting forward. The stem 3 extends to the bottom of the tube and is provided with a nut and is encircled by a coiled spring, the rear end of which bears upon the nut, while its forward end bears against the inner face of the cap a. The rear cap is also rounded to conform to the tube and its side Its end spring-case and these bolts the crossbar and thill are braced and made firm against the strain caused by draft of the tug, which is at tached to the hook 4. It will be understood,

of course, that a similar device is placed upon the opposite side for the other tug. These devices relieve the unequal strain upon the horse in stepping, the draft drawin g upon the stem of the hook and compressing the spring first upon one side and then upon the other, and although the strain is thus thrown upon the cross-bar and thill at this point the bracing action relieves these parts and prevents any racking. The device is very compact and when in place is scarcely noticeable and may be very cheaply made.

The cap-pieces a b are made symmetrical and interchangeable. Instead of being secured bythe bolts they may be held by any ordinary means, such as bands, used instead of or in addition to the bolts.

We claim- 1. In combination with the thill A, a cross bar B, a spring and bracing device composed of the caps a and b and fixed to the said thill and cross-bar, the intermediate tubing 0, the stem having means for connection with the tug, provided with a nut at its inner end and surrounded by the spring, all the parts being combined and operating, substantially as described.

2. In combination with a thill and crossbar, two independent and interchangeable cap-pieces and an intermediate tubing, a spring and stem, the parts being combined and operating as set forth.

In testimony whereof we aff x our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

WILLARD E. HAHN. GEORGE OTIS GOOMBS. Witnesses:

E. S. FARWELL, Gno. W. HICKS. 

